Guidelines for Easier Home Selling
1. Hire a Professional
Some sellers make a costly mistake - they choose to try to sell their house using the For Sale by Owner (FSBO) method in order to avoid paying a sales commission - usually around six percent of the sales price. However, hiring a Professional Realtor is the real key to a successful sale. Your agent will help you:
- Set the right price. Realtors can give you information on recent comparable home sales in your area, helping you understand pricing in the local market.
- Do the leg-work. Creating advertisements, screening prospective buyers, and showing your home are all very time-consuming and labor-intensive.
- Find the right buyer more efficiently. A good agent will know how to screen for buyers who are most likely to want your house and be able to make a good offer on it.
2. Preview the Competition
Prospective buyers will most likely have looked at other homes for sale in the area. Since buyers will be comparing your home to the ones they're already seen, you must know what the competition is offering in order to compete for prospective buyers effectively. Your agent can provide information on other homes for sale in your neighborhood and those which have recently sold. Go and view these other homes - this may give you some insight as to what can be done with your house to enhance it's curb-appeal.
3. Hire a Home Inspector
A pre-sale home inspection is a great idea. This can help by allowing you to make any necessary repairs which could later cause a deal to fall through or allow you to set your asking price to account for the cost of these repairs. Your Realtor can provide a list of reputable home inspection companies, or contact a professional association of home inspectors to get a referral.
4. Improve before you sell
Small and inexpensive improvements can make your home much more attractive to buyers - but be careful not to overdo it. Make sure that you don't make improvements whose costs will not be recouped at the time of sale. Keep these tips in mind as you prepare your house for showing:
- Create curb appeal. Sprucing up the landscaping , mowing the lawn regularly and clean around your homes exterior makes a good first impression.
- Remove clutter. Buyers cannot visualize themselves living in your home if there are lots of personal pictures around and personal items spread about the house.
- Clean, clean, clean. A clean house can have a major impact on your sale, especially the kitchen and bathrooms.
5. Sell at the right time of the year
Listing your house at the right time of year can make a big difference in how quickly it sells and for how much. In most markets, home sales peak during April and May, but often remain strong through July. This would be the preferred time for most families to move because it falls at the end of the school year and brings warm weather. Like the weather, the real estate market tends to cool significantly during the late fall and winter months; however, you may be able to get a better price during those months because there will likely be fewer homes on the market. It can also be an advantage if you're looking for a quick closing, because buyers will be eager to close by year-end so that they can claim a mortgage deduction on their taxes.
Premier Service: Stress-Less Home Buying
To sell your home, you'll need more than ads and signs. You need a Sales Associate who will work as your Trusted Advisor, Skilled Negotiator and Expert FacilitatorSM, Michael Giordano, your GMAC Real Estate Premier Service Sales Associate can offer you just that. First and foremost his goal as your representative is to:
- Obtain the best possible price for your home.
- Negotiate the most favorable terms.
- Secure a buyer in the shortest period of time.
- Relieve you of the stress and inconvenience that often occurs in selling a home.
Critical Elements of a Sale
1. Asking Price
This is the number one factor in the sale of your home. The actual market value is determined by what a buyer is willing to pay. Through my research, I will assist you in determining the most appropriate sales price. Our customized sales and marketing program will then target exposure to a large segment of potential buyers.
2. Property Location
The second most important factor in the buyer's mind is location. The proximity to area amenities and schools is typically a concern. In addition, street traffic, proximity to expressways and public transportation are considerations.
3. Property Condition
Buyers consider the structural and mechanical integrity of your home as well as the upkeep and cosmetic appeal. Neutral décor, including floor and wall coverings, appliances and fixtures, offers the broadest appeal to potential buyers.
4. Market Conditions
Interest rates, competition from other properties, the economy and consumer confidence all influence the sale of your home. Each of these factors is beyond our control, so we must respond to these conditions with the appropriate marketing and price considerations.
5. Contract Terms
The terms of the sale can make or break a contract. House sale contingencies, closing dates and exclusions of accessories or fixtures should always be handled clearly up front in order to avoid any confusion that could affect the sale.
6. Marketing
When marketing and advertising are done correctly, your home will sell more quickly and command a higher price. But every property is unique and the marketing plan should be designed to target those buyers most likely to want your home. Special attention should be paid to the most popular sources buyers use to find the homes they purchase.
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